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Bulls’ Tedeschi Voted NBA Trainer Of The Year

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Chicago Bulls Head Athletic Trainer Fred Tedeschi assists Derrick Rose #1 after injuring his knee against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)Bulls trainer Fred Tedeschi assists Derrick Rose after Rose tore his ACL in 2012. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

(CBS) Fair or not, the Bulls’ training staff has a received some criticism over the last few seasons. Some of it has even come from Bulls players.

So you might be surprised by this news: Bulls trainer Fred Tedeschi has been named NBA Athletic Trainer of the Year.

The award is voted on by National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association, comprised of head and assistant athletic trainers from the NBA’s 30 teams. It’s the second time Tedeschi has won the award (2007).

“Fred is very deserving of this award,” Bulls General Manager Gar Forman said on the team’s web site. “He’s been a valuable member of our team for many years and his excellent work is appreciated by our players and everyone in the organization. It’s great to see him get this recognition.”

The truth is, Tedeschi and his staff were tested immensely this season. On top of Derrick Rose’s rehab from a torn ACL and getting him medically cleared by mid-February, the Bulls were hammered by injuries late in the season and during the playoffs. Despite the injuries, the Bulls made it to the second round of the playoffs before falling to the Miami Heat four games to one.